Australia captain Steve Smith shut down one controversy and stoked another as his side slipped to a third straight one-day defeat against England.

As well as surrendering the series with a 16-run defeat Smith had an eventful day at the SCG, given out after a disputed catch by Jos Buttler as he attempted in vain to reel in a target of 303.

He was also called to explain television pictures which showed him rubbing his mouth and then the ball, with England’s Barmy Army Twitter account suggesting he may have used lip balm to alter the condition of the Kookaburra.

James Anderson was forced to deny a spurious claim of ball tampering during the Ashes and Smith was quick to plead innocence too.